A monitor arm is an articulating arm used to hold a monitor in place while your camera operator is shooting. There are many different ways to mount your monitor. When shooting on a tripod, the monitor is typically mounted behind the camera so the camera operator can see the image while he or she is shooting. Sometimes a director will view the monitor from a remote location. In this case, the monitor is usually attached to a C-stand via an articulating monitor arm. When shooting in a handheld or shoulder mounting configuration, a monitor’s position may vary. Some people use articulated arms to mount a monitor out of one of the ¼” 20 thread holes on top of the camera handle. No configuration is right or wrong. The important thing is that the operator can see the monitor’s image.
While an articulating arm is most commonly used for mounting monitors, one may also be used for mounting a variety of other accessories like small lights or audio devices. These accessories are defined as articulated arms because they are united by a series of joints. The most common configuration of an articulating arm is one joint in the middle and two other joints on either end. Each joint has the ability to rotate 360 degrees and the end joints will also pivot to 90 degree angles.
Noga Israeli Arm
The two most popular brands of the articulating monitor arm are the Noga Israeli articulating arm and the Zacuto Zamerican articulating arm. These two articulated arms have the same basic functions with a few major differences. The biggest difference between the two is the articulating monitor arm ends. The Noga brand usually has a ¼” 20 male thread on the smaller end of the arm and a 3/8” 16 male thread on the larger end. This is because most monitors, small lights and some audio devices have a ¼” 20 female tap on the bottom for mounting purposes. Instead of being threaded on both ends, the Zacuto articulating monitor arm is equipped with standard 15mm rod ends. The Zacuto Zamerican arm can hold anywhere from 6 to 20 pounds of weight depending on the angle. Each rod end also features a female 15mm tap which enables the user to screw any standard 15mm rod into the end of the arm.
Large Zamerican Arm & Zacuto Zicromount III
Zamerican arms also differ in the respect that the user is able to “quick-release” them. When using Noga articulated arms (or any other brand for that matter), the user needs to physically screw their monitor onto the threaded end. With the Zacuto system, a Zicromount is attached to the bottom of the monitor and that part grips onto the end of the arm and tightens with the turn of a lever. In contrast to other brands, a Zamerican will never come unthreaded because it doesn’t use a screw. Not only is this option much safer, but it can also save you a lot of time on a set.
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